...and "I" became "We"

I realize it has been a while since there was regular updating, here on Ye Olde Blog.  As noted in a previous post, sometimes the actual living requires all of the available energies…  Such is life.

I also realize that this blog has inadvertently become a verbal shrine to What Was.  In order for that to change, I need to get back in the groove – return to the reporting of  What Is, and What I Hope Will Be.  With that in mind, I am here to share a pretty big chunk of What Is…

As of April 28^th, in the year of our toilet paper scarcity, 2020, I became Penny L. Weaver (!)  I have alluded to some pretty significant changes in the minimal posting I have done here in the past 3 years.  A little over 2 years ago, I chanced to meet an amazing individual who thought me fairly amazing, too.  We learned and grew together – there were adventures and much sharing and the making of incredible memories.  About a year ago, there were whispers of a shared future.  There were things that we both wanted/needed to deal with first.  As John Lennon famously said:  “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”  This has never been more true than now…  Sometimes, love looks like sunshine through the storm clouds.

The Groom and His Bride

 After more than a month of “wait and see” with regard to lock-down, isolation, and uncertainty surrounding the stasis of COVID-19 living, Tim decided that “better safe than sorry” was a good idea.  Sometimes, love looks like not waiting until everything is perfect to proceed.

He has been increasingly anxious due to the fact that I am uninsured.  When he looked across the table at me, late Saturday night, and said “this is probably the single most un-romantic proposal ever,” I had to disagree.  What speaks more of love than wanting the best for those that you love?  Sometimes, love looks like taking care of those that mean the most to you.

The Kiss 

SO…  With the question asked and answered, we were faced with the additional questions of “How?” “Where?” and “What?”  Getting the first two answered revealed that we also needed to answer “Who?”

How does one get married in the middle of a virtual global lock-down?  Well, firstly one needs to obtain a License to do so.  In order to accomplish that feat, we had to make an appointment with the Register of Deeds.  Having made several calls, and listened to many recorded announcements, we were able to do just that.  On Monday, April 27^th at 1:00pm we obtained the official paperwork to proceed.

Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
Ring on index finger made from 1897 quarter,
backside of new *albeit temporary* wedding band,
the earrings B was given as my Maid of Honor in '97,
and my skirt and Tim's shirt.

 Another phone call answered the question of where one gets married during the pandemic event of COVID-19:  the County Magistrate informed us that he was available for such business between the hours of 9:30 am and Noon.  He did request that we not come at 5 minutes before 12, as the paperwork and ceremony would take about a half an hour.  This was also the point at which we were informed that there was a necessary “Who?” beyond the primary players in this event.  We needed two “Whos,” actually – and they were easily obtained after we checked in with of our nearest and dearest.  M, Tim’s youngest and B, who was actually my Maid of Honor at my 1^st marriage were quickly on board to be our required “Whos.”

The Wedding Party:  Masked and Distanced

 That left only the question of “What?”  …which, ironically ended up being the most challenging part of this whirlwind affair.  After the acquisition of much knowledge Monday morning, I innocently asked “What are we doing about rings?  Do you want to wait until later to deal with that?”  We thought it would be simple enough to swing by the local SuperCenter outpost of Wally World after dealing with the paperwork on Monday afternoon…  Turns out:  not so much (!)  His thought was that we could grab some “temporary rings,’ and find what we really wanted later.  A sweet thought that turned into an epic adventure that ended up with us being the last two people in line to enter Jery’s Pawn & Gun at 10 minutes to 6 (a.k.a. closing time) on Monday evening.  *honestly, I couldn’t’ have made this up if I were trying to be comedic!?*

Fine Wedding Jewelry
brought to you by Jery's Pawn & Gun Shop

 Now… With all of the pieces assembled, we set forth on Tuesday morning to do the deed.  We convened at the Magistrate’s Office at just before 10:30 am, and proceeded to gather in the tiny vestibule that served as the containment of his kingdom.  Money changed hands, by way of the protective flap below the tinny speaker in the bulletproof window.  Paperwork was reviewed and signed by the stalwart Witnesses.  The ceremony took place and the Fine Jewelry was exchanged.  Then, it was done.  Congratulations were received, and we headed back to the Register of Deed’s office to file the paperwork.  Leaving minutes later with certified copies of our shiny new Wedding Certificate in hand.

The exchanging of the rings
with festive signage
in the vestibule of the Magistrate's Office

There you have it! Love in the time of Pandemic.  A story for the ages!  We are still giggling over the surreal nature of the double-time manner in which all of this was accomplished.  Sometimes, love looks like making the leap – before everything is “perfect.”  It has been quite some time since either of us has been this happy.  It has not escaped me that I am so very lucky, once again, to be held in the arms of a great love.  Today and ever more, my song is one of gratitude.

These beauties arrived
about an hour after we returned home
- many thanks to MDP and Stan!

Onward and upward!

Words of Wisdom for Today:

You were born together, and together you

shall be forevermore.

     You shall be together when the white

wings of death scatter your days.

     Ay, you shall be together even in the

silent memory of God.

     But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

     And let the winds of the heavens dance

between you.

                                    ~Kahlil Gibran

About The Word...

Did you have "a Word" for the year, last year?  I did -- last year was the 2nd time I participated actively in this practice.  I have written (and written, and written) about my disdain for the notion of Resolution(s) for the new year. I feel that, alternately, having a set Word (or intention) does indeed have an impact.  My word was "Question" and it provided ample opportunity to up my mindfulness quotient!

...as my bracelet appears to be in hiding,
this piece (also by Amy Smith) is a perfect illustration!

I think it helps *if like me, you have not done this regularly* to have extra reinforcement at the beginning.  For me, it came in the form of a customized piece of jewelry from fellow artist and friend Amy Smith.  For the first portion of last year, I wore my Word almost daily.  It was always near by or directly in my line of sight.  I was reminded *beautifully...  colorfully...  artfully...* of this desire, and I feel that it helped the notion 'take hold.'
  

Painted & Stitched
Canvas Cuff by Amy Smith

At times, to Question was simple and straightforward:  "WHY!?"  alternately, "Why NOT?"  However, when applied most rightfully, in more difficult situations (i.e. moments of frustration, anger, sadness, regret, etc.) it proved an effective tool in dealing with less pleasant matters in the moment.  It served as a virtual "Pause" button, inviting me to step back, for just a minute, and look more closely at the "Why... ?" of the things that were itching my mind or pulling on my heart.  Which, in turn, allowed me to quite regularly lay down pointless burdens before they taxed my finite resources.  Unlike the noble Oyster, we mere mortals do not produce fine treasures when we fester over the grains of sand that sometimes rub us the wrong way.  We produce irritated bellies and unquiet minds.  We sometimes produce a snapping, snarling presence that can appear to be overreacting to the situation at hand.  Hardly moments to treasure, eh?

Having embraced the notion/intent of Question for a year, I feel that I have come away more aware of things that can be troublesome for me.  I feel lighter in spirit for having taken the time to question my responses and answer for them honestly, even if I answer to no one but myself.  I would like to think that there has also been a benefit to others of my Questioning -- that I have emerged more fully present in the various roles I fulfill from day to day.  Perhaps this is so, or maybe this is yet to be seen...

This year, my word/intention is to Observe.  On first glance, this may seem a passive intention.  That is not my take on it, though...  In the spirit of mindfulness, I desire to Observe more fully -- to actively receive more random moments of beauty and tenderness -- to note *and to propagate* more of that which fosters joy and bliss, and less of that which weighs the mind with useless worry -- to see opportunities as they present themselves, and scoop them up like the gifts that they are rather than to relegate them to the dustbin of "one day..." -- to mindfully revel in the daily blessings that are heaped upon me, and take not for granted that I bear a responsibility to nurture and maintain them.
  

observe \əb-ˈzərv\
: to watch and sometimes also listen to
(someone or something) carefully
: to see and notice (someone or something)
: to make a comment about something you notice

What about you?  Do you have a Word for the year?  Is this a practice that you find beneficial, or is there something else that works for you?  I'd love to hear about it!  Leave me a comment, and we can continue the discussion.  There's always this:

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

"Be glad today.  Tomorrow may bring tears.
Be brave today.  The darkest night will pass.
And golden rays will usher in the dawn."

                                      - Sarah Knowles Bolton

Image Credits:
   Clearer Focus:  Taken w/ Samsung Galaxy S4, standard camera app
   Painted & Stitched Canvas Cuff:  Amy Smith Designs  
   Bespectacled & Observe:  The Graphics Fairy

With a Grateful Heart

...and an astonished mind!

Greetings and best wishes for a most wonderful Thanksgiving to you all!  SO much to share -- so much gratitude for all of the wonderments that comprise this wonderful, wild, wacky Life of mine!  

I hope that the Thanksgiving holiday allows you time to reflect on all of the blessings that make your Life wonderful and wild in its own right.  I am taking advantage of the long weekend to unplug, and bask in the glow of one of my most treasured blessings:  the company of The Man.  We are long overdue for some quality time, and I am very excited that we are going to get it!  

Enjoy the things that make you happy, and count your blessings.  I will see you, here in my little 'nook on the net' for some serious catching up soon!

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

Every woman should develop
the kinds of bonds
that will allow her to know
she has someone she can count on.
Someone who will give her
the best advice,
even if it is unpleasant.
Someone who will expect
the most from her...
and someone with whom
she can celebrate life.
                      — Maya Angelou

On This Day in 1997

...I married my Beloved.  It was a sweltering Saturday in '97.  We were surrounded by family and friends - his, mine, and ours - many of whom are no longer with us.  In many ways, it seems as if we have been married forever; in just as many more, it seems like it could have been a matter of weeks ago!  It was a most mightily amazing day, and the days hence are like so many pearls - some the acme of perfection, others not quite perfect but perfectly acceptable.

The Arrowoods, ca. 1997

From then to now, we have had traveled the pathways of this Life together in all things:  great joys, bitter losses, happinesses (grand and wee), sadnesses (which always seem oh, so large in their moments), immense pride in the accomplishments of our children (and the much rarer angst for their lesser days), the always-exciting-adventures that come from owning one's own business(es), and various and sundry hits & misses - highs & lows - wins & losses!  I cannot imagine that there is another human on this spinning hunk o' rock with whom I could have ever managed any, nay all, of these incredible feats!

I can hardly wait to see what comes next as we continue to love and laugh and live and grow and learn and be together.

With all of my most grateful heart,

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

"I am my beloved's
and my beloved is mine..."

                                    - Song of Solomon, 6:3

Photo Notes:

    The Arrowoods - by Shawn Arrowood
   *with my apologies, as it is a photo of the photo*

Realizations, Revelations, and being Resolved - Part 3 of 3

There was much chatter on the interweb in the weeks leading up to the New Year about OLW (One Little Word) - or - choosing one's "action word" for year...  Initially, I thought it too much like a "Resolution" to bother with, as I gave up making resolutions many moons ago.  *self-fulfilling failures and what-not*  In my scratching about to finalize my thoughts on the return to blogging, however, the notion of having "A Word" to (a) symbolize my passage through this year, (b) serve as an alphabetic 'totem'/touchstone, or (c) represent the intention of mindfulness as I do what it is I do on this big blue ball, began to appeal to me.  This may strike some as funny, as I am not generally known for being a woman of few words.  *much less only ONE - seriously!?*  I have warmed to the idea, though.  I don't suppose it will be a big surprise that I have chosen a word, and a few of its 'companions' as my OLW.  You could think of it as a 'root' word, its variations as leafy off-shoots of its central meaning.

Light shall be my OLW; its variants (enlighten, alight, lightening, lighten, lightning, etc.), like ripples in a pond, serve as extensions of the central theme.  What has come before in this series (Realizations, Revelations) speaks of this intent, and it is my fervent wish that all that comes after will bear the fruits of its manifestation.

Being Resolved

Whereas, I   Penny Arrowood    wish to be a light, and
Whereas, it is my stated goal in the year 2013 to lighten the load of my hearth & home, and
Whereas, I fully desire to be a point of light for those I meet along the Journey, and
Whereas, it is my wish to be alight with the joy of creating, and
Whereas, I am determined to continue to learn and grow ever closer to Enlightenment,
     *even if not by leaps and bounds, but by mere millimetres* and
Whereas, it is my heart's desire keep a light in the window for those we love, and
Whereas, I am dedicated to lighting the fire of creative bliss among fellow creatives, and
Whereas, the child in me will always seek lightning bugs at dusk, and
Whereas, I seem to have run out of variations of My Word *for the moment,*
Therefore be it resolved that 2013 shall be awash in LIGHT!

Won't you join me?

Onward & Upward!
 - pla

p.s. - If you follow no other link in this post, please do take a look at the final one.  It is well worth the time, and damned near guaranteed to put a smile on your face :)  

p.p.s. - If you did follow them all, and then clicked on "final one" above, I bet you're smiling and tappin' your foot by now  ~>;-)

 

Words of wisdom for today:

"But I also say this: 

that light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness, when it's done right,

is a kind of holiness, palpable and redemptive."

                                      - Mary Oliver

Image Notes:

   "Idea Balloon" altered image from Microsoft Office Images, style # 1147.  Image manipulation by yours truly via Paint Shop Pro X2 (filters & effects).
   "Time Flies" altered image composite, original images from The Graphics Fairy.  Image manipulation by yours truly via Paint Shop Pro X2 (filters & effects).